Latest news with #Jamal
Shafaq News
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
From soul to spectacle: How Iraqi music lost its voice
Shafaq News/ Once steeped in spiritual and emotional richness, Iraq's music now struggles against noise, nostalgia, and a shifting cultural identity. Despite its historical richness and deep emotional resonance, Iraqi music has steadily lost much of its identity, nuance, and poetic core—deteriorating under the weight of social transformation and political turbulence. Today, critics argue, Iraqi music is no longer guided by artistic intent or heritage but by superficial rhythms designed to 'make shoulders move,' as one folklorist described. Historical Foundations Iraq's musical heritage stretches back thousands of years, with significant development over time—particularly after the introduction of the oud and the addition of its fifth string, as well as refinements in rhythm and the evolution of the Iraqi maqam (musical mode). The 1920s marked a golden era, witnessing the emergence of prominent female vocalists. Later decades brought a new generation of influential composers such as Abbas Jamil, Nazem Naeem, Mohammed Nushi, Koukab Hamza, Jaafar Al-Khafaf, and Talib Al-Qaraghuli, whose melodies remain etched in the nation's collective memory. Sufi Roots and Identity The 20th century witnessed a global musical revolution. Western composers like Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg broke classical conventions, while jazz, blues, rock, and electronic music reshaped cultural norms. Technological innovation accelerated music production and access—digitization and online platforms have made music more available than ever before. Iraq's music still bears a distinct cultural signature. 'Mesopotamian music has characteristics unlike any other musical form in the world,' Nasser Jamal, a member of the National Music Ensemble, indicated in an interview with Shafaq News. 'These rhythms are not found elsewhere. Iraq's musical legacy is essentially a Sufi one, originating in ancient temples and religious traditions of Mesopotamia.' The 1950s saw the widespread popularization of maqam-infused songs, with Jewish Iraqi composers like Saleh and Daoud Al-Kuwaiti playing foundational roles. Jamal emphasized that even the most iconic works of that era were anchored in maqam. The 1970s then brought a major transformation, particularly through the merging of rural music into the Baghdadi soundscape—infusing compositions with sorrow and longing. Figures like Talib Al-Qaraghuli, Mohammed Jawad Amouri, and Mohsen Farhan defined the tone of the decade. But in the 1980s, music became an instrument of political propaganda. 'Nearly all compositions were militarized to serve the regime, with only rare exceptions,' Jamal said. The 1990s carried a unique identity of their own. Jamal suggests that many of those songs deserve to be musically re-arranged today, as they mark a stylistic shift distinct from other eras. Cultural Reflection Music in Iraq has long served as a reflection of cultural, political, and social shifts. Yet even amid decades of change, its signature melancholy tones have remained a defining feature. 'The sorrowful melodies are among the most prominent characteristics of Iraqi music,' composer Mohammed Al-Khazaali told Shafaq News, adding that they reflect the emotional turbulence of Iraqi society. Al-Khazaali notes that the music of the 1970s represents a high point. 'That era produced beautiful voices, graceful compositions, and poetic lyrics. Iraqi songs ranked second in the Arab world after Egypt in terms of influence and reach,' he stated. Then, Iraqi music veered away from these foundations, degenerating into indecent lyrics and erratic compositions. This decline is attributed to Iraq's volatile environment and harsh socio-political changes, according to Al-Khazaali. However, he sees hope in initiatives like the Iraqi Symphony Orchestra and the Dajla Birds Ensemble led by Maestro Alaa Majid, who are reviving the country's musical heritage through live performances. He also credits the Musicians' Syndicate and the Iraqi Musicians' Association for promoting quality compositions that still appeal to refined tastes. From Song to Spectacle Heritage and folklore critic Ali Shibib sees today's music as lacking in artistic depth. 'Contemporary Iraqi songs rely heavily on technology,' he told our agency. 'But instead of using it to enhance musical integrity, it's mostly used to create shoulder-shaking beats—without structure or sophistication.' Shibib believes that lyrics are now shaped more by consumer trends than cultural consciousness. 'Modern remixes often distort the original compositions. Attempts to modernize old songs are usually unstudied and superficial.' Rise of the Noise Maestro Ahmad Abdul-Jabbar, artistic director at the School of Music and Ballet, laments what he calls the rise of 'noise.' 'Iraqi music used to be rooted in authenticity and heritage. Today, it's buried under chaotic sounds that stray from its core principles.' Speaking with our agency, he acknowledges that 1990s music differed from that of the 1970s—especially in tempo—but still preserved its beauty and soul. 'Now, Iraqi music has become a hybrid of noise and shallow melody,' he said. 'It lacks artistic depth and fails to represent the country's civilization and cultural heritage.' Despite this, Abdul-Jabbar believes the foundational elements of Iraqi music are resilient. 'It remains a distinctive form—immune, to some extent, to the randomness flooding the music market today.'
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Cheap imports, aimless programmes hurting farmers
The right help: With proper policies, incentives and technological help, local farmers will be able to produce bountiful crops to match major food producers like China, Japan and India, say agriculture and food security experts. PETALING JAYA: Vegetable farmers and livestock breeders say that cheap imports and unfocused programmes are why their industries are 'in a crisis' despite all the attention given to agriculture for the past two decades. Local growers are unable to compete with cheap vegetables brought in from China, Vietnam and Thailand, which is why some farms are leaving their crops to rot instead of harvesting them. Cattle breeders say that government programmes encouraging farmers to breed cows for meat have failed to produce more beef for local consumption because the initiatives did not go to the right people. 'I do not know if our vegetable farmers can survive for the next two years because cheap imports are driving the prices down and we cannot compete,' said Cameron Highlands Malay Farmers Association chairman Datuk Syed Abd Rahman Syed Abd Rashid. For instance, with the cost of producing cabbages being 80sen, farmers have to sell their produce at more than RM1 per kilo in order to make a profit, he said. 'But cabbages from China are sold in supermarkets at 60sen per kilo. So, how can we compete with these prices? 'Wholesalers and importers are bringing in tonnes of these vegetables every day, so how is our local produce going to compete?' he asked. The vegetable glut in the market is currently nearly all year-round, added Syed Abd Rahman, making it hard for farmers to earn an income. 'In the last two years, I have not made a profit at all from growing vegetables. This is something I am sure farmers all over the country have experienced. Our industry is in a crisis,' he noted. The Statistics Department's (DOSM) Agriculture Census 2024 showed that Malaysia continued to depend on imports to meet local demand for beef, mutton and milk. In 2024, 84%, 89.% and 56.6% of these items, respectively, were from other countries. Cattle breeder Jamal Abdul Karim said that according to DOSM's past data, the country had higher levels of self-sufficiency for beef in the years before the Covid-19 pandemic, but this has declined and the nation has increased its imports. 'In my own experience, when we were sourcing cattle for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha, we could not find enough animals in Peninsular Malaysia. We had to source from Thailand', said Jamal, who is the chief executive officer of Colla Niaga Sdn Bhd. Despite seeing years of government programmes to encourage the growth of local breeders, Jamal said the results have been lacklustre because the initiatives lack focus. 'The problem is that we don't choose the right people who want to be breeders. For instance, we give out cows to oil palm planters so they can breed them in their plantations. 'But the problem is these people are focused on oil palm and not cattle-breeding. To make the industry viable, we need the government to work with the right breeders,' Jamal added.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Carrie Underwood Welcomes New Farm Baby and People Can't Get Enough
Carrie Underwood Welcomes New Farm Baby and People Can't Get Enough originally appeared on PetHelpful. On Wednesday, May 21st, country music star (and American Idol judge!) Carrie Underwood announced the arrival of her farm's newest family member: a tiny, adorable baby boy lamb! Carrie shared a few pictures as well as an adorable video of the baby and his mama. Carrie also shared his name, explaining that since he was born on the day of the American Idol season finale the only appropriate name would be Jamal, the winner of the season! Carrie said in the video's caption that she pops into the barn every chance she gets for snuggles, and who can blame her?! Jamal is the cutest little guy we've seen on the internet today!People loved Carrie's photos and video. @American Idol chimed in with, "Already lookin' like a winner!" @hudialyss added, "I feel like he needs a photoshoot with Jamal the winner!" However, others were upset by the lamb's name. While some viewers thought the name that Carrie chose for her little baby lamb was cute, some thought it was insulting, like @sassybrit 75 who said, "Tone deaf af. Damn shame." @ agreed, adding, "Ain't no way y'all think this is ok…." Many thought that Carrie's name choice was distasteful, especially since many fans believed she wasn't happy that Jamal had won. @bigpoptlc shared, "It seems counterintuitive to believe that you don't know that naming an animal after someone (for whom you've made clear you harbor considerable disdain) would be profoundly reductive and disrespectful. Shame on you for doing this passive aggressive nonsense." Commenter @k80slife shared, "So adorable! It's really crazy how someone people will turn anything into an insult. She didn't have to name the lamb after him, and I'm sure she wouldn't have if she hated him like some of y'all believe." Wow! Most people showed up just to see Carrie's cute little lamb, not even realizing what a controversy his name would start. Fortunately, most of the comments were positive and only focused on how cute the little lamb is. Carrie Underwood Welcomes New Farm Baby and People Can't Get Enough first appeared on PetHelpful on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Travel agency staff cheats man of Rs 4.4L
Representative image Vasco: Vasco police registered an offence against an employee of a travel agency for allegedly cheating a customer of Rs 4.4 lakh. Nasir Jamal, a resident of Baina, Vasco, stated that the accused person Nitish Yadav of Shamshad Travels posted an advertisement on Facebook providing cheap travel packages to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. The advertisement was seen by the Jamal who wanted to send his three friends/relatives to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj. When Jamal contacted the accused persons on the mobile phone numbers provided, Yadav induced him to purchase the travel package and asked to bring more customers, where he will get discount of Rs 5,000 each. The accused then told Jamal to deliver cash of Rs 4.4 lakh towards visa and other charges as applicable for the tour. Vasco police registered an offence against the accused person under Section 318 (4) read with 3 (5) of BNS 2023 and Section 66-D of Information Technology Act.
Sinar Daily
7 days ago
- Business
- Sinar Daily
'Overpaying average players is killing Malaysian football' - Jamal Nasir's blunt truth
He contrasted this with players like Arif Aiman Hanapi of Johor Darul Ta'zim, for whom a high salary is justifiable. Arif Aiman clinched the MVP Award, Best Midfielder and Best Goal in the 2024-2025 Super League at ABK 2024-2025 held at Astro Bukit Jalil on Wednesday. - Bernama photo SHAH ALAM - Football clubs must exercise prudence when selecting both local and foreign players, offering salaries commensurate with their quality to avoid financial distress. Harimau Malaya legend Datuk Jamal Nasir Ismail stressed that every club needs the expertise to accurately assess a player's capabilities before signing them. Arif Aiman (right) showcased outstanding performance throughout this season's AFC Champions League (ACL) campaign. - Johor Southern Tigers photo This evaluation is crucial to prevent clubs from being burdened with exorbitant salaries for underperforming players. 'Every club needs the expertise to select or evaluate each player they intend to sign. "However, some players demand RM20,000 salaries when their worth is significantly less, perhaps even below RM10,000. 'Yet, because the club strongly desires the player, they proceed with the signing, ultimately acquiring a player who lacks the expected quality," Jamal said. He contrasted this with players like Arif Aiman Hanapi of Johor Darul Ta'zim, for whom a high salary is justifiable. 'But if a player performs just averagely, why pay a premium? "Ultimately, the club bears the consequences. Sometimes, the Chief Executive Officer or team management's strong preference for a particular player leads to inflated salary offers," he said. Jamal claimed that player selection should be entrusted to experts and talent scouts who can determine a suitable salary for each player. The issue of salary arrears in the Malaysian League is a recurring problem that detrimentally affects the local football industry. A primary cause of severe financial difficulties for clubs is the decision to pay players excessively high salaries that do not align with their on-field contributions. Jamal also proposed that each club establish its own salary scale for players, serving as a benchmark for determining fair compensation. ' "Clubs should create a structure – for instance, defining appropriate salary ranges for national players versus regular players. 'If the club cannot afford a player's salary demands, they should refrain from signing them," he added. More Like This Newly appointed Real Madrid's coach Xabi Alonso gives a press conference during his official presentation at Real Madrid Sports City in Valdebebas, near Madrid, on May 26, 2025. Real Madrid announced in a statement on May 25, 2025, that Xabi Alonso has been appointed the new coach of Real Madrid with the 43-year-old Spaniard to take over from June 1, and lead the team at the Club World Cup. "Xabi Alonso will be the Real Madrid coach for the next three seasons, from June 1, 2025 until June 30, 2028,". (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
